Online check in room requests

[DisDadWoz]

When we went on our trip in March (not on points) we did the on line check in about 10 days out and did not get any of our room requests. I know they are not guaranteed in any way. However, as today is day 60 we were able to check in for our 1 bedroom and had the same requests (High floor/Large balcony), but my question(s) is/are is there a better chance of getting the request by checking in 2 months ahead and which rooms would have the large balconies?

 

[englanddg]

When we went on our trip in March (not on points) we did the on line check in about 10 days out and did not get any of our room requests. I know they are not guaranteed in any way. However, as today is day 60 we were able to check in for our 1 bedroom and had the same requests (High floor/Large balcony), but my question(s) is/are is there a better chance of getting the request by checking in 2 months ahead and which rooms would have the large balconies?

Ive always gotten my room requests (the few trips Ive made requests, 2013 and 2011 specifically). And, I made then when placing the reservation over the phone, then again with online check in.

I think the earlier the hotel knows about it, the better.

 

[sxeensweet]

I have done them at time of reservation, 60 days and at check in and 4 out of 5 times did not get most of them no matter how early I did requests or online check in. It's just the luck of the draw pretty much. We stay at Kidani Village a lot in Savannah room and request Sunset Savannah (the better of the 2 savannahs available at Kidani) and keep getting the latter that is not a nice as Sunset. Only had sunset once before we joined DVC. Now as DVC member and that is our home resort we bought direct also, we seem to keep getting the Pembe Savannah which we do not enjoy as much. Go figure! lol Now one request we get regularly is a high floor at all the resorts we stay at. So high floor should not be a problem for you.

 

[Tom]

You don't want to be too specific about the requests (like giving room numbers) because if those rooms aren't available, they have no idea why you requested them.

Your request of High Floor is fine. I didn't know "Large Balcony" was a thing, so I can't comment on how effective that one is. You'll get a room based on the Room Type you booked.

As @englanddg said, you should call and have them apply your requests manually over the phone. That way they really show up on the file that gets sent to all the various departments. I've never trusted the check boxes that show up during online check-in.

 

[sxeensweet]

You don't want to be too specific about the requests (like giving room numbers) because if those rooms aren't available, they have no idea why you requested them.

Your request of High Floor is fine. I didn't know "Large Balcony" was a thing, so I can't comment on how effective that one is. You'll get a room based on the Room Type you booked.

As @englanddg said, you should call and have them apply your requests manually over the phone. That way they really show up on the file that gets sent to all the various departments. I've never trusted the check boxes that show up during online check-in.

This^^^. Never be too specific and always be more general.

 

[englanddg]

This^^^. Never be too specific and always be more general.

Right.

An example request for CBR would be "I would like somewhere near the bridge, Aruba or Jamaica, with two connecting rooms on the second floor if available. If not, two rooms near each other in the same spot of the resort near the bridge would be awesome."

In fact, that was the way I put my 2011 request, and I got everything I asked for.

 

[pug]

When we went on our trip in March (not on points) we did the on line check in about 10 days out and did not get any of our room requests. I know they are not guaranteed in any way. However, as today is day 60 we were able to check in for our 1 bedroom and had the same requests (High floor/Large balcony), but my question(s) is/are is there a better chance of getting the request by checking in 2 months ahead and which rooms would have the large balconies?

I believe that there is no better chance sorry.